Jury Duty Terms for Sevier County, Tennessee
The Sevier County Judicial system includes Chancery Court, General Sessions Court and Juvenile Court. Of these three divisions, Chancery Court is the only trial court. Therefore, Chancery is the only court requiring the service of jurors. The terms of jury duty in Sevier County are mostly outlined by state, rather than local, law.
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Conduct
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According to the Sevier County Local Rules of Practice, members of a trial jury are not permitted to engage in conversation or conduct with any witnesses, parties or attorneys until the conclusion of the trial. Jurors are required to take an oath solemnizing that they will observe the rules regarding their conduct. If a juror engages in conversation with a witness, party or attorney, the trial may be ruled a mistrial and the juror may be prosecuted for perjury.
Qualifications and Exemptions
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Jurors must be at least 18 years of age. They must also be citizens of the United States and have been a resident of Sevier County for a minimum period of 12 months. Further, jurors must be able to communicate in the English language. Exemptions are granted to jurors that can prove financial hardship with a tax return, that have been convicted or pleaded guilty to any felony offense, perjury or subordination of perjury or that can prove a medical disability.
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Excuse
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Jurors may be temporarily excused but not exempt from jury duty if they are currently enrolled as college students or have a case pending in Sevier county. Jurors must submit proof to the court of enrollment in a college program. Jurors are sometimes excused if they have served on jury duty within the last ten years, although the country reserves the right to call upon qualified citizens as needed.
Leave From Employment
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Under the Tennessee Code Annotated, employers must excuse full-time employed jurors for duty without penalizing them for absence. If employees work night-time shifts, employers must excuse them from shifts during the period of jury duty. If employers have been employed full time for six months, employers must continue to pay jurors normal pay. Exceptions are only made for employers employing less than five persons. Employers that violate law by terminating employees for jury service or not paying regular wages may be convicted of a crime. Jurors must present employers with jury summons the next working day after receipt.
Daily Duties
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Jurors must report for duty for one week or the duration of the trial to which they are assigned. Trials will break by 5:00 p.m. each day. Jurors not assigned to a trial may,but are not guaranteed to, be released earlier in the day, with the instruction to return and be available the following day. Jurors are paid $10 a day by the court.
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References
- Sevier County: Chancery Court: Local Rules
- Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County: Jury Duty Information: TCA 22-4-106. Absence from employment --- Amount of compensation. ---
- Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County: Jury Duty Information
- Business and Legal Resources: Tennessee Jury Duty/ Court Appearance: What you need to know
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